Hey everyone! Hope you all are still enjoying your summer. I cannot believe how fast it is going. I wish it would slow down just a bit as I'm pretty sure I was designed to be a summer creature. But that's besides the point.
If you read my last blog, (if you didn't click here...I'll wait..*taps foot* Done? Good!)I was talking about how even though I established my "crayon crowd community", that doesn't mean everything goes swimmingly now does it? No, of course not...as much as we would like it too. I mean even us, as the teachers, get cranky and have to ask for forgiveness from others, so naturally our students aren't going to get along all the time.
My solution? Drum roll please.
*ahem*
The Peace Table.
I designed the concept of the peace table in college when I had to create my classroom setup and ways to manage my classroom. The peace table in my room is a tiny table off to the side that is designed for two friends. The purpose? To get students to resolve conflict...on their own. I have two reasons for this. The first is (to be quite honest with you)..I'm selfish. Tattling can drive me absolutely CRAZY! And I'm pretty sure every teacher (at least the lower grades) would agree with me. You could spend all day dealing with tattling it feels like. The second reason is because students need to learn to work out their problems on their own..without me. There are adults who don't know how to resolve conflict...and it is important to learn to work problems out rather than gossip, hold a grudge, or lose friends over an argument. Am I right?
So how does it work? Students who are arguing or frustrated with another student may at an appropriate time (indoor recess, free time, quiet work) discuss with the other student what their problem is and work it out. Now for the first few weeks of school..I walk them through it and we discuss as a small group. But as the year goes on..they don't need me anymore. They learn to calmly and kindly share their opinions and feelings with each other. When they are done discussing, they come and tell me what they talked about and how they found peace with one another. It was sweet to watch kids who were so frustrated with each other..leave with a hug and a smile and run away to play together. Obviously, this might need modified with whatever grade level you are teaching. Fortunately..I work with first graders and they haven't figured out how to manipulate the situation to make it the "talking table", so that's a major plus with this age group.
My sneak preview for next time has TWO words: Quiet Mouse....
Happy Pickin'!
Mrs. L
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